Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-09-24
GrazieIIa the Model.

One day last summer Us Bartholdi
and weIe going to the studio OF a
rather eccentric friend Of ours known
20 the art world as Frederick Holt, 1
was suddenly startled by these words
from my companion:
"Where on earth. old fellow, do you
rake up subjects for your little stories?"
"Ah!'' exclaimed. do you finu my
little stories 50 trivial?"
confess was just triae nettled by
the tone Of the question, which was not
complimentary but, on the contrary,
seemed to imply slight feeling of
scorn for my brain labors, past, pres
ent and future. Twas hurt; but having
no extraordinary opinion of my friends
literary jud gment, | stifled my anger
and replied in calm unruffied voice.
TO day, my good friend, you may
perhaps see the kind of place wherein
not unfrequently find subjects for my
little stories as you are pleased to
call them. At the same time" I con-
tinued, with that calm irony tor
which l am noted, 'you must keep
your eyes open; for there are certain
people who are unable to see bey ond
their own noses, and who value literary
work BY its bulk, rather than by its
quality After of roses. my friend. is
offensive 10 the coarse senses of certain
people. and ] have no doubt there are
men living in this world who would
ask In their ignorance where Shakes
pcsre picked up the m aterials for his
little story Of Hamlet"
As concluded my bitterly sarcastic
speech We found ourselves in a sort of
courtyard built in the Italian style of
no particular era, at the end of which
was door cut in the wall of an old
house. Guarding this door were two
lions In an attitude suggesting that
thoy intended to hurl themselves
against the bars of their cage. Their
eyes we're flashing. their mouths open.
and their tongues protruding; but as
these terrible beasts were only in the
iorm OF rough design sketched on the
Wal. we boldly approached the door
and passed it with no further mishap
than slight soiling of our coats with
Whitewash and crumbling plaster.
For several days past Frederick Holt
mad been almost a fixture in his studio,
working with tremendous energy on n
picture In which he intended to d splay
all his technique and at the same time
reveal his knowledge of drawing and
Oh color. His great desire was at the
same time to arouse the interest of u
particular patron well known to the
community OF artists; but on account
on some circumstances only known to
himself, Frederick was compelled to
put the finishing touches to his already
over elaborated picture, with the sick
ening conviction that, after all, it must
20 70 the general academy exhibition,
and there be subjected to the cold and
9nsympathet.c criticisms of a hard
hearted public.
our friend had studied for many
years in Europe. and not only had a
Great reputation, but had also produc-
% . few good pictures, -whc ch is a
paradox l do not care to explain. As
soon as it was known that an interest,"
mg subject was under treatment on his
EASEL friends and the public generally
we're attracted 10 his studio.
according to his custom. the artist
sad chosen an historical subject: and
sondly believing that his talents would
70 judged from the size of his picture.
ne mad filied an immense canvas with a
representation called "Nero's Dream"
Anls represented a bare-legged man.
summed in ths LAGOON folds of a
eamlng toga standing on the ruins
~ = tartheonic building and wildly
saivering at the sight of multitude of
puaneoms that were scantily dressed in
sneets and ornamented with clankino
"efound our friend moving nervous.
aoout among his visitors. Constantly
sPproaching his picture to turn it a lit
10 10 the right or left, arranging the
H-n H.a'ns TO obtain the best possible
sSn. and at the same time watching
sae iaces OF his guests as il he boned to
'.a the secrets of their very souls.
superb. grand. gigantic. massive
s O1 delicate. fine. delightful, Michael.
,ngelesque." were the adjective, freely
banded about. '''' iree'y
10 you not find relief in the picture
ssnerM mastery of color and GOOD
pscuvs !" Frederick modestly in
gr!' Iea while he enjoyed to the full the
praises OF his indulgent brother an, ,r,;st sue
cla,nsn ,nlncsnt! perfect ~ thew ex-
ansai thu ni and they turned their hacks 70
;ns sne picture to enjoy the more mora pS rafresS, 10
tbs cpsn cgm. OF keg Of beer that was in
mod;Sa no SSrnes OF the studio, and served 70
critical throat and voise. "0'ui'y Oh the
IN The din Of voices no ona :. ..o
room seemed to hear seyarsI w uJe aianron. IN ene
sS0nse ~. to them the potiere that S scroeD no rO
a s ue entrance was quietly . raissJ sircem anG
.as, Azure .. Oh Young girl appeared.
s..s. A. trats Graz ella r. eScI.;m.,,